I like that the pockets suits as much as 5 playing cards. I check quite a lot of MagSafe wallets, which generally solely match as much as three playing cards. This looks like loads. I can carry my debit card, bank card, driver’s license, and money with out it feeling like a good squeeze. The snap enclosure ensures that every little thing stays inside safely. It is simple to open and shut, and you’ll pull your playing cards out with out struggling on the register.
The case’s backside has two hooks that connect to the clasps on the crossbody strap. Undo the hooks once you need to use your cellphone like regular. The draw back? The built-in pockets obstructs the MagSafe magnets and disables the iPhone’s wi-fi charging capabilities and compatibility with MagSafe equipment—you’d must take the case off if you would like these options again. I are inclined to take away the case once I get residence and pop it again on when heading out.
{Photograph}: Brenda Stolyar
The pockets ought to’ve been detachable, however Bandolier does promote a MagSafe-compatible Mila crossbody. It has a built-in bifold pockets that folds out, permitting you to pop a wi-fi charger on the again of the iPhone or a MagSafe accent. However the Mila’s pockets does not accommodate as many playing cards, and it does not have the essential Necessities Pouch.
This mini zip pouch sits in the midst of the strap on the Bodie, making your gadgets simply accessible. You possibly can transfer it additional up or down, or clip it to the highest. It is detachable, too. I will generally take it off the strap and throw it in my tote as an alternative of transferring all of the gadgets inside between luggage. It is small, so you possibly can’t match a lot inside, nevertheless it’s been helpful for carrying my automobile keys, chapstick, and AirPods.
Not like the skinny lanyards on most crossbody cellphone circumstances, the Bodie’s strap feels equal to at least one on a pleasant purse. Manufactured from nylon, it is thick and sturdy, delivering a safe maintain even with a considerably weighty iPhone hanging from it. It is adjustable, so you possibly can change up the size relying on what you are sporting or how tall you’re.
On days I want to hold one thing additional, like lipstick or a small tube of liquid blush, I attain for Bandolier’s Avery AirPods Clip-On pouch to place my AirPods in, which conveniently attaches to the strap’s clips. Bandolier sells it individually, nevertheless it matches the Bodie completely, full with the identical pebble vegan leather-based texture and gold accents.
I used to be nonetheless nervous sporting the Bodie out for the primary time, with my iPhone awkwardly dangling from the aspect of my hip. It simply did not really feel pure. That feeling shortly disappeared once I realized how good it was to be free from a cumbersome crossbody bag, the sensation of an annoying strap sliding off my shoulder, or being weighed down by all of the stuff in my pockets. I used to be hands-free, whereas nonetheless having easy accessibility to my cellphone and necessities.
The compliments additionally helped. The primary day I introduced it out, a stranger at a retailer instantly talked about how good it seemed, requested me tons of questions, after which seemed it up proper in entrance of me on Bandolier’s web site (a pleasant confidence increase). Because it appears to be like a lot like a conventional crossbody bag, particularly once you’re sporting it with the cellphone display screen going through inward, it is exhausting to inform it is a cellphone lanyard—the perfect of each worlds.
The minor design particulars matter. Between the thick strap, buckles, clasps, gold accents, and vegan leather-based look, the Bodie mimics a conventional crossbody, and it is robust to inform that it is a cellphone case that doubles as a pockets. The modularity, with the power to decorate with totally different items, means you possibly can disguise it much more.
If the worth on Bandolier’s Bodie is a leap scare, properly, I do not blame you. Spending $150 on a glorified cellphone case is difficult to abdomen. But it surely’s a cute, trendy, and practical accent, and the standard shines by. It is a trend accent greater than a tech accent. Taylor Swift would by no means steer me incorrect.
